Community partners have expressed the following contributors to suicide deaths among Ashe residents:

• Schools in Ashe do not have adequate mental health staff to address needs among students

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a huge impact on mental health

• The environment plays a role in terms of lack of recreational activities, isolation in outskirts of the county, and lack of transportation

The following partners were identified as important to turning the curve on suicide deaths among Ashe residents:

• Daymark

• Schools/ASC Center

• Mobile Meals program/Meals on Wheels

• Backpack program

The following have been identified for what works to turn the curve on suicide deaths among Ashe residents:

• Governmental involvement/support for mental health services
• Community trust, credibility with mental health providers
• Strong messaging around mental health and accessing services
• Adapted services to address language barriers, cultural differences, educational backgrounds, etc.

AppHealthCare is exploring how to add capacity to our behavioral health services, starting with expanding services to farm workers and individuals with Substance Use Disorders. Additionally, conversations continue among community partners about the possibility of distributing resources and creating safe spaces like Calm Corners for youth, possibly within the school system.